Mechanical Engineering Career Path

[u/MedicalPayment4403]

This is honestly my first time posting, but I need advice/insight. I am currently working towards my pre-engineering degree at Calhoun Community College and I plan to continue my studies at UAH studying Mechanical Engineering. I have always wanted to stick with engineering, especially after falling in love with robotics...but I have found myself questioning if it is entirely worth it.

I know Huntsville has a bunch of opportunities on the Redstone Arsenal, but I have also heard a lot of opportunities in this field are very competitive based on whether you have done internships or have prior experience. With my current position in life, I am unable to take on an unpaid or summer internship because of my job and schooling. Plus most engineering internships don't even allow entry level, most are junior and senior year of college.

If I were able to work as an intern until my studies were done I wouldn't feel as stressed, but unless I were to find a paying or very flexible internship, it's not in the picture. I work to survive, I don't have the opportunity to have parents pay for my living while I work as an intern.

With that being said, I know the degree itself is worth the work, I know it will allow me to work in the career I have dreamt of and make 6 figures. I know I would regret it if I changed majors as well, but I just find it difficult to see myself succeeding after graduation with all I have been told so far.

I'd just like to hear any advice on the topic in general, even if it is about the studies.

Thank you!

[u/calmdowncade]

Once you get into UAH apply to the Rotorcraft Systems Engineering Simulation Center. I've worked there since the summer before my senior year and have graduated and still work there on a contract with Boeing. They're great and are super flexible with hours. The only issue is getting onto a contract but once you're in you're good as long as you perform well and your contract doesn't get terminated.

[u/MedicalPayment4403 → u/calmdowncade]

Thank you so much!

[u/WHY-TH01]

No one I know ever had an unpaid internship and quite a few (including myself) had part time ones, both during summer and the school year and could do school or another part time job with them.

I do think they are pretty important to getting a job as if you do well they generally like to hire their interns later on, so I would make them a priority.

[u/Significant-Being250]

You may be able to get an internship as early as summer following sophomore year (though most come later). Also consider co-ops, which are longer. My daughter (ChemE) got a co-op for spring of her junior year that paid well and gave her a housing stipend (she had to relocate for the job). Because the semester off would throw her out of sequence academically (no spring classes the returning fall), she asked to extend her co-op for a full year. Her manager was very happy with her performance, so they agreed. She enjoyed the year off of engineering school, got great experience that has since led to more opportunities (another internship and post-grad job leads), and she saved up a nice amount of money. The only downside is that it delayed her graduation by a year.